"He said they watched some of my film -- it was of my first three or four games," Smith said. "And he said he liked the way I played and he likes the way I compete. He says as soon as my last highlight tape is put together, to send it to him because he likes the way I play. He says I'm physical, I play fast, and he said I could be a great addition.

"I believe [an offer] is coming soon. He did say they did want me to come down and camp with them, which I will do."

There's a good reason for the final junior season highlight holdup: Smith's Atlanta (Ga.) Hapeville Charter remains alive in the GHSA AA playoffs. The Hornets will play Fitzgerald (Ga.) in the semifinals on Friday.

Once Smith's highlights are cut up, it will include at least six interceptions.

Fortunately, UNC's offer delay isn't bruising its chances with Smith since he isn't in a rush to anoint favorites.

"I can't really narrow it down now," Smith said. "I think after the season it's really going to pick up. Once I pick up some more offers, I'll be able to narrow my list down to a top five or a top ten. And then I can focus on establishing a relationship with those coaches."

It's assumed that in-state Georgia has a built-in advantage. However, Smith says that's not the case.

"I know that's the home team and everybody thinks that, 'Oh that's the home team, so he's bound to go there,'" Smith said. "But that's not the case. I view all the schools the same."

Originally, Smith was scheduled to make his first visit to UNC for its bout with Virginia Tech. However, not wanting to take the risk associated with driving through Hurricane Matthew the trip was delayed. Watching the Tar Heels play a less prestigious opponent (i.e. the Citadel) a month later didn't diminish Smith's experience.

"It was great," Smith said. "The game wasn't really exciting, because they were playing the Citadel and they were blowing them out. But the atmosphere was still pretty good. The very few fans that were there were into the game, even though it was a blow out."

A campus tour was absent from the visit. But, as Smith highlighted, it gives him something to look forward to when he returns to Chapel Hill.